Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Spherocytosis linked to splenic torsion injury in dogs
By Beeston, Dave et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2024·The Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Spherocytosis as an indicator of fragmentation injury in dogs with splenic torsion.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Four dogs were brought to the vet with signs of illness and anemia, and they were diagnosed with splenic torsion, a serious condition where the spleen twists and cuts off its blood supply. An abdominal ultrasound or CT scan confirmed the diagnosis, and during surgery, the presence of spherocytosis (abnormal red blood cells) was noted in these dogs. Unfortunately, two of the dogs did not survive after experiencing cardiac arrest, while the other two were able to go home after treatment. This case highlights the importance of checking for spherocytosis in dogs with splenic torsion, as it may indicate additional complications.
People also search for: dog splenic torsion symptoms · dog anemia treatment · spherocytosis in dogs · dog surgery recovery · signs of dog illness
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of 4 cases of splenic torsion with associated spherocytosis. ANIMALS: 4 client-owned dogs with spherocytosis and splenic torsion. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Each dog presented with nonspecific clinical signs, and 3 out of 4 dogs were anemic on presentation. RESULTS: The diagnosis of splenic torsion was made with abdominal ultrasound or CT and confirmed during exploratory laparotomy. Spherocytosis was described as occasional (patient 1), rare (patient 2), and low number (patients 3 and 4). Two dogs survived to hospital discharge, and 2 dogs died following cardiorespiratory arrest. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Spherocytosis has not previously been reported in cases of splenic torsion, and identification of spherocytes on blood film evaluation warrants further investigation. The cause of spherocytosis in splenic torsion remains unknown but may be associated with microangiopathic fragmentation injury.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38776970/